A stronger reading could increase the chances of a rise in U.S. interest rates by year-end

Asian stock markets were mixed Friday, as investors looked to a coming jobs report in the U.S. for clues about when the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 ended 1.2% lower at 5052.02, following a patchy performance overnight in U.S. markets. Singapore’s benchmark index was 0.4% lower shortly before the close of trading. Japan’s Nikkei 225, which had fallen in the morning, ended flat at 17725.13. South Korea’s Kospi was down 0.5%.